Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Acts 9:31-42
John 6:60-69

Reflection:

‘This is hard, who can accept it?’

We listen to a refrain that illustrates one of the many moments that Jesus and his disciples faced or met opposition or, more precisely, in this case, a moment of discouragement.

To see followers, turn away and to see that one’s words and teachings are being rejected before our very eyes is a painful experience.

Teachers, guides, even parents at times all face such moments in life. Wisdom, truth, challenging words or even at times plain common sense can be rejected by the listener – often without good reason, but nevertheless rejected definitively!

At times all we can hope is that the other will turn away from their view and at least consider if not embrace the good advice or truth being put before them

Two moments in today’s account might help us in our reflection on the Word and give us encouragement and hope.

Firstly, let us notice the freedom that Jesus extends to others.

Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”

We bask in such freedom. Our belonging to Jesus, our walking with him is not something to be coerced or forced. He extends an invitation to us at each moment of life and we are free to make our response.

Secondly, we can be inspired by the faith of Peter in this instance.

Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

Pete’s famous words are both a testimony to the truth that is Jesus and a powerful witness and encouragement to us. Peter’s words show us that not only does Jesus have the secret of life, but that it is possible to follow him despite cost or challenge.

In today’s gospel text we see clearly that our following of Jesus can give strength and courage to others to do the same.  That is, our personal affirmation of faith and our witness to that same faith in Jesus can be a beacon for others and give silent witness to many.

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is a member of Holy Spirit Province, Australia. 

Scripture:

Acts 9:1-20
John 6:52-59

Reflection:

The first reading for today is the famous account of Paul’s conversion in the Acts of the Apostles.  Paul was introduced earlier in Luke’s account as the young man who watched over the cloaks of the mob that stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr.  Luke soberly notes, “And Saul approved of their killing him.”  But now we see a dramatic turnabout.  The intensely zealous Paul who was persecuting the followers of Jesus is on his way to Damascus, “breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,” and intent on bringing back to Jerusalem in chains “any men or women who belonged to the Way” (the first name given to the community of Jesus’ followers, according to Acts).

But as Paul nears Damascus, he encounters the Crucified and Risen Christ and his life is changed forever.  The persecutor of Christians becomes the ardent missionary to the Gentiles.  As the Lord instructs Ananias who will minister to Paul in his blindness, “…this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel.”

Biblical interpreters have noted the difference between the dramatic story of Paul’s conversion described in Acts and that of Paul’s own reflections on his first encounter with the Risen Christ in his Letter to the Galatians.  Some Jewish Christians had challenged Paul’s mission in Galatia and questioned his conviction that God has reached out to the Gentiles without requiring that they first become Jewish converts, and, therefore, needing first to adhere to the practices of the Mosaic law such as Sabbath observance, circumcision, and a kosher diet.  Faced with this opposition, Paul affirms his own credentials as one appointed as an apostle by the Risen Christ.  Paul describes this inaugural experience not in the dramatic terms of the story in Acts but rather as a “call” or “vocation” from God—one that was designated for him in God’s providence even before he was born: “But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles.. (Galatians 1:15).

Looking back on his experience, Paul realizes that his vocation as apostle to the Gentiles was his God-given destiny.  Several times in his letters Paul expresses his deep regret that in his misguided zeal he had persecuted “the church of God,” but he remained secure in his vocation, aware of Christ’s love for him despite his failings.

We will be hearing a lot of selections from the Acts of the Apostles during this Easter Season leading up to Pentecost.  The whole second half of Acts focuses on the dynamic missionary journeys of Paul, as he brings the gospel to Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), Macedonia and Achaia (present-day Greece) and beyond.  He indeed was God’s “chosen vessel” set apart to bring the message of God’s intense love and mercy to the world.

The beauty here is not only Paul’s matchless contribution to the spread of the gospel, but the fact that God works with those who are flawed and very human.  We live in a unique moment in history—a threat to our lives that both tests our own faith and, and at the same time, offers opportunities for us to proclaim its message of hope to a troubled and frightened world.  The example of Paul can be our inspiration.

Fr. Donald Senior, C.P. is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union.  He lives at the Passionist residence in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Scripture:

Acts 8:26-40
John 6:44-51

Reflection:

Twice in John’s gospel, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” (Cf. John 6: 35, 38)  It was an early teaching about the Eucharist to come.

At the Last Supper, Jesus gave us that Eucharist.  “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body’” (Matthew 26:26).

He broke the bread.  Only bread that is broken can be shared.  On the cross Jesus’ body was broken.  Now he shares his body for those who need to be nourished,

Since we are members of his body through Baptism, we can say that at Mass Jesus takes us, blesses us, breaks us, and gives us as food to those who need to be nourished.

— He breaks apart our fears.
— He breaks down our prejudices.
— He breaks apart our selfishness.
— He breaks down any unforgiveness.
— Then He breaks open our hearts that love may pour out.

He does all this so that, as broken bread, we are now able to feed those in need.

Yes, feed those in need.  At Mass we receive Jesus, the Bread of Life.  Pope Leo I said, “We are transformed into what we have consumed.”  That means we become, like Christ, the bread of life.  We become bread for others.  We are then sent forth to feed those who hunger. We are sent forth to feed:

— The bereaved, who hunger for the bread of compassion.
— The fearful, who hunger for the bread of encouragement.
— The ignorant, who hunger for the bread of truth.
— The lonely, who hunger for bread of understanding.
— The oppressed, who hunger for the bread of justice.
— The repentant, who hunger for the bread of forgiveness.
— Our world, that hungers for the bread of peace.

At the Last Supper, after giving us his body and blood, Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.” (Cf. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)   Do what in memory of Him?  Jesus challenges us to give up our bodies and pour out our blood, to give our lives for others as he did, and to do it in memory of him.

To participate in Sunday Mass is to be involved in a lifelong process of dying to self that we may give our lives as Jesus did.  By God’s grace, in the course of our lifetime, we will feed many thousands.

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.   http://www.alanphillipcp.com/

Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin & Doctor of the Church

Scripture:

Acts 8:1b-8
John 6:35-40

Reflection:

He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.– 1 John 2:2

Today the Church celebrates the feast day of one of the few women Doctors of the Church, Catherine of Siena. Her influence on Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from Avignon, France was Divine intervention only because she listened to God with deep love and was open to the Holy Spirit.

In her Dialogue, she writes about many visions and experiences and conversations she had with God. About midway through her Dialogue, she writes about Christ being the Bridge for those on earth to be able to travel to heaven. The bridge has three steps or levels. These levels relate to the spiritual life. Under the bridge are the raging waters of sin. Those who choose the waters of the earthly distractions will drown. Those who take hold of the feet of Christ have begun their journey in the Light. The feet are where the person becomes a servant, a follower and is “lifting her from the affections of the earth”. As the person continues the journey they move higher towards the heart of Christ where “she fills herself with love and virtue”. And then climbing higher reaches the mouth where there is an experience of great peace. The importance of the Cross is that it never leaves the earth but remains rooted so that Divinity remains with the “humanity of the earth”. This is the Bridge that frees those who wish to climb from earth to heaven. Through the suffering of Christ. The stones are what the bridge is made of and are the virtues. These stones are cemented together with the Blood of Christ.

This is only a brief description of what is eight pages long and goes into much greater detail.  This image is an important one as we make our way through the Easter Season. We traveled forty days through Lent. The last couple of weeks took on a new meaning with the COVID virus began making its way through the United States. We were asked to stay in our homes and away from each other. What began as a couple of weeks has now stretched out into six weeks. We looked to Easter to celebrate and ease our struggles during this time. And yet Catherine draws us back to the Cross, the Blood, Humanity, and Divinity. The crosses have been many for all of us in different ways. Has it been a time where we grew closer to God moving from the feet of Christ to His heart? Are we moving from his heart to his mouth to find great peace? It is not an easy climb one that takes inner sacrifice and reflection and conversion. A time of great challenge physically, mentally and spiritually. I wonder what St Catherine would say to us today? I am certainly going to reread this section. I found that her words fed my soul and gave me much to reflect upon during these days.

May God bless you and your families. Stay healthy and safe.

Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky

Scripture:

Acts 7:51-8:1a
John 6:30-35

Reflection:

Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.’

These words from John’s Gospel are very familiar to most of us.  We believe that it is the bread of God which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world, our world. This bread of life feeds our souls and nurtures our spirit so that we may live as the children of God.

I have always loved the scriptures we read and hear proclaimed during the Easter Season.  I can so relate to the ups and downs of the apostles in the early church going on about their ministry on their own without Jesus physically present.  Even though we believe in the promise that no matter what, Jesus would always be with us.  In our humanness we fall short at times and doubt his presence and concern! This year in the midst of the pandemic, it seems even more of a challenge!  Our days are filled with worry and uncertainty as death and sickness run rampant in our communities and around the world.  We are being challenged to believe that our God is alive and in our midst especially on the most hopeless of days.

So, for many weeks now, COVID-19 has forced us to look at our comfortable lives in a different way.  It continues to test our faith and leads some to wonder where God is in all of this suffering and chaos!  In a way we are like the apostles in the early church, who must have felt very alone and scared without their friend Jesus by their side.  Jesus told them many times he would not be with them forever in the same way, but they didn’t really believe he would really leave them. As believers we know God is right here in the midst of our suffering. Just because our God chooses to be present in ways we do not expect does not mean we have been abandoned by a God who promises us we would never be hungry or thirsty if we put our faith and trust in him.

Our hungers and thirst are satisfied as we grow closer to family who we may not have taken the time to stay in touch with in our busyness.  My blood family are all in Michigan and we don’t always stay in touch as much as we would like.  During these past weeks several of us have used the app Marco Polo to check in with each other almost daily.  It is reminding us of how important we all are to one another.  It’s amazing how much time we spend laughing and teasing each other and come away missing each other a little bit less.  In the parish and school where I serve as pastoral associate there are many innovative ways everyone is using to teach, learn and pray together.  Each Sunday a small group of us meet to livestream the Sunday liturgy so that our parishioners have an opportunity to stay connected in some small way with the bigger church.

My plan is to retire from ministry this summer.  COVID-19 is giving me a different exit plan then I had anticipated!  Instead of spending these final months breaking in my successor, tying up loose ends in the office, spending quality time with the community I love, I am working mostly from home in a virtual setting with those I minister with.  My time has largely been spent in planning and preparing through zoom, live stream, U-tube, etc.  We stay connected to RCIA via weekly Zoom, emailing with families with catechetical programs, online conversing with colleagues and parishioners for a variety of needs.  My hungers and thirsts are being met in different ways as I enjoy the time spent out of doors when able, to see the hand of God in nature all around me.  To hear and see so many people doing so many wonderful things in our community to help one another and taking the time to get to know our neighbors has all been an unexpected gift to pave the way into a new life to come in the months ahead.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!!!!  Jesus is Risen and with us always!!!

Theresa Secord is a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Acts 6:8-15
John 6:22-29

Reflection:

Today’s reading is so true –

Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
…Jesus said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

I see it so often – people touting their monetary wealth, putting on airs and bragging about what they have and do with their money. For those of us who live simply, and are quite content with that opportunity, we know that the gospel of prosperity is not the bread of Heaven. God provides us with everything we need – food for the soul! We have to believe and trust in God, our father.

If you are feeling overwhelmed during this difficult time of change and unpredictability, trust in Him! These days are opportunities to grow closer to Him – clean your house (both your spiritual home and the one that is overdue for a dusting), donate your excess to an assistance ministry, deliver food to seniors in your area – I have been volunteering with a Houston non-profit for the last three weeks and it has been such a joy to see them waving to me in thanks, or coming out of their garage to talk to me as I sit in my car and carry on a distant but lovely conversation!) And take this time to read your bible. I found so many great books of inspiration in my office that I bought with great intention of reading and never opened!

This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent!! God bless you all and know that I hold you in my prayers.

Patty Masson resides in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Acts 2:14, 22-33
1 Peter 1:17-21
Luke 24:13-35

Reflection:

The Gospel story of the disciples on their way to Emmaus is even more real this year, the year of the coronavirus pandemic. These unnamed disciples are trying to escape the confusion and turmoil of the days that saw the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. And then came stories of empty tombs and angel messengers. It is just better, they must of thought, that they get out of town.

We all are in the midst of confusion and turmoil. We all wonder how this crisis will play itself out.  We look around to see so many sick and dying. We grieve for families never able to say a final farewell to those they love. Some, like me, wondered while in the throes of the virus’ ravages what separates me from those on life support.

The weeks following Easter have always provided time to meditate on what the Resurrection story means for us and our world. But truth be told, what did we really learn? Did it really matter? This year, the Resurrection story is raw. How do we come through so much death and suffering to find new life in Jesus, the Risen One?

The news of death counts and infection rates is our Golgotha. Yet I can’t stay there.  Where I have chosen to go is to online virtual choral or orchestral performances. Individuals in their homes linking their voices and their musical talent to create a glorious noise unto the Lord. They tell me that within their very souls the Spirit lives. And when that Spirit searches to join with the Spirit of others in song and music, I know that life is greater than death. And for now, that’s all I can hold onto.

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.